Craigellachie 16 Years Old 2007 Cask #HL 21171 (Edition Spirits)

Edition Spirits bottled this Craigellachie, a 16 year old, distilled in 2007, from cask HL 21171, bottled at 57.3%, one of 294 bottles. Craigellachie is a robust, fruity Speyside single malt from the heart of the region. Most of its make still goes to blending, a robust filler prized for its weight.

It was made in copper stills whose worm tubs build a robust make, to build a robust, sulphurous, full bodied character. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut to the robust spirit. At oxidative maturity aldehydes and esters lend tropical fruit while ellagitannins add a drying, savoury grip. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the meaty malt. Long ageing turns the young, sulphurous spirit towards mango, wax and a warm spice. Craigellachie is one of the last Speyside malts still built on worm tubs.

At cask strength 57.3% it is full bodied. A heavy, oily maltiness, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. The texture is full and oily, the fruit lifted by a meaty weight. A long, oily finish carries a tropical depth. This is Craigellachie, the meaty heart of White Horse.